Central Zone took firm control over the proceedings of the game as they reduced North Zone to 198 for 6 on the second day of their CK Nayudu Trophy semifinal encounter at the BOS Engineering Ground in Cuttack on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Central Zone in their first innings folded up at a score of 343.

Resuming at the score of 284 for 5, Central Zone lost the overnight batsman S Raza Ali (87) with the addition of only two runs. Afroj Khan (69) then took the total past 300 with the help of the tailenders while realising his fifty. He was the eighth batsman to be dismissed with the score at 333. During the 199 minute stay at the crease, Afroj faced 154 balls and found the signboards on eight occasions and cleared it twice.

In response, North Zone were given a good start with openers M Bisla (44) and G Geri (15) adding 32 runs in 6.2 overs. Geri was the first to be dismissed, bowled by CS Atram. Then Dhruv Mohan (52) joined Bisla and took the score to 78 when Bisla was caught by A Deshpande off Raza Ali. This brought TT Dilip (25) to the crease and with Mohan he took the score along to 120. Dilip was the next to be dismissed caught by Raza Ali off N Chowdhury.

Sumit Sharma and Mohan then forged a 72 run fourth wicket stand. As North seemed to coast along, they lost three quick wickets. Mohan who held the innings together departed after a 205 minute stay at the centre, bowled by Atram. Mohan faced 138 balls for a well compiled half century, in which he hit eight fours. Sumit Sharma joined him in the pavilion soon after, caught by Deshpande off M Srivastava. New batsman Paras Dogra was then bowled by Atram to leave the visitors in a spot of bother at stumps. V Singh (6) and S Singh (0) were unbeaten at close of play. CS Atram so far has figures of 3 for 46.

© CricInfo